Follow your passion and let the money come later is a common phrase nowadays. Yet as easy as it may sound, finding your true passion and making money from it isn’t easy.
Today we share stories of 4 entrepreneurs who decided to heed that advice in good time. And even though they faced numerous difficulties when starting, their sacrifices eventually paid off big time. Some of them are already dollar millionaires while others are behind brands that are recognized globally.
So next time you hear someone urging you to follow your passion just remember…
4.David Mathenge (Nameless) – Artist
Courtesy/ David Mathenge
Nameless recorded his first hit song “Megarider” at age 19 while still living in Mamlaka A hostels of University of Nairobi. Although he was pursuing a lucrative degree in Bsc Architecture, he knew his true passion lay with music.
So he traded office suits for the mic – a decision that saw him dominate the Kenyan music industry for nearly a decade. Today he’s not only a top MCSK royalty earner, he has won numerous awards from MTV Africa Music Award (MAMA – 2009) to Channel O Award (2007).
3.Suzie Wokabi – Suzie Beauty Limited
Courtesy/Suzie Wokabi
When Suzie graduated with a degree in International Relations from the USIU a career in diplomacy would have seemed like the perfect option for her. Her parents worked as diplomats and naturally, they expected her to “fit in”.
However, Suzie had a different passion! She wanted to become a makeup artist. Oops, any sane person at that time would have thought the young woman was running out of her mind. But it didn’t take her long to prove her critics wrong.
Today her company Suzie Beauty Ltd has surpassed Ksh100 Million in net worth having grown to 13 local branches in a short period of 4 years.
2.Mohammed Ali – Moha Grafix
Courtesy/Mohammed Ali
Mohammed’s first job was that of a door-to-door sales clerk where he was required to collect contacts of potential clients for a strict boss. One day though, the boss decided to review his diary contacts just to see how he was performing.
To his dismay he found that most pages of Moha’s diary were covered with drawings instead of list of appointments as is expected of a salesman. Busted, Mohammed knew it was time to take to the hills.
With little to no capital and only armed with the passion of an artist, Moha went on to pioneer an industry that has since been christened “The Matatu Culture”. Today Moha’s Graffiti works cost as much as Ksh200,000 per vehicle and his garage is a bee-hive of activity day-in-day out. He has since opened new branches in Nairobi, Rongai and Mombasa towns.
1.Simon & Sarah Kabu – Bonfire Adventures
Courtesy/Sarah Kabu
Passion is the keyword when you think about Simon and Sarah Kabu who started Bonfire Adventures a few years ago. The two had “normal” office jobs and were comfortably headed for the middle-class status until one day the thought of pursuing their passion of travelling and vacationing struck.
They started sharing some of their vacation photos on social media and gradually their friends got interested in joining them for the next trip. A few months later, they started organizing holidays and tour packages for their buddies. Fast forward to today and Bonfire Adventures has grown to achieve a turnover of well above Sh70 Million.
The company has branches throughout the country, a large fleet of tour vans and a global clientele. The couple’s brainchild was recently recognized as the 5th fastest growing medium-sized firm in Kenya by the Kenya Top 100 Survey which is conducted by KPMG, Nation Media Group, Kuza Biashara among other partners.
Lesson
Anyone can start a business but it is infinitely harder to grow and sustain it without passion. That’s why focusing on your mission is of utmost importance. Don’t be lured into a particular business (or line of work) simply because there is money to be made. Follow your passion and money will come looking for you.
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